title: Thermal versus impedance-based ablation of renal cell carcinoma: a meta-analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of renal carcinoma has become an established treatment modality. However, thermal (TB) versus impedance-based (IB)-RF generators have not been previously compared.
  
  
  METHODS
  A literature search on the application of RFA for renal masses using TB or IB-RF generators was performed. The safety, efficacy, and long-term outcomes of TB versus IB-based RFA were assessed using the outcome measures of technical success, local recurrence rate, complications, and preservation of renal function.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Across the 27 included studies, pooled results suggested comparable results for technical success (TB-RFA 98.53 % vs. IB-RFA 98.78 %, P = 0.9813). Clinical efficacy results were also similar across both generators (91.0 % TB-RFA vs. 91.5 % IB-RFA; P = 0.73). At follow-up, no differences in renal function (relative risk [RR] 0.5, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 0.45-5.48), and local recurrence (RR 0.717, 95 % CI 0.49-1.50) were observed. The pooled proportion of overall complication rates was 13.1 % for TB-RFA and 11.5 % for IB-RFA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No differences in the observed parameters were found either during surgery or at follow-up.
authors.affiliation: DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada, mmodabber@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Milad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Modabber
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Sriharsha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Athreya
mesh_terms: D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D017097:Electric Impedance; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011846:Radio Waves